Indians to get unique identity number soon

New Delhi, Nov 10 (IANS) An empowered group of ministers (EGoM) headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherji Monday approved a proposal to set up a unique identity authority (UIA) for all residents of the country.The approval by the EGoM will lay the foundation for the implementation of a unique identity system for all residents in the country based on a proposal formulated by the department of IT at the request of the Planning Commission.

The UIA will be set up under the Planning Commission.

The proposed system envisages collaboration among several government agencies backed by intensive use of IT.

The unique identity project seeks to assign a unique identity (UID) number to each individual living in the country that would remain a permanent identifier right from birth to death of the individual.

The EGoM also approved the modalities of collation of the UID scheme with the national population register, proposed to be created by the home ministry through the registrar general of the census of India in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Citizenship Act.

Ministers of home affairs, IT and communications, and law and panchayati raj are members of the EGoM while the Planning Commission deputy chairman is a standing invitee.